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CLEARWATER, Fla. — Two days after the Phillies opted to outright Kevin Frandsen off the 40-man roster, the seven-year veteran chose free agency Tuesday instead of staying in camp to compete for a job. With the decision, Frandsen forfeits his one-year, $900,000 guaranteed contract he signed in the offseason.

Frandsen, 31, has been in the Phillies' system since 2011 when he signed a minor-league contract as a free agent. He played 2011 and half of 2012 in the minor leagues before getting called up, and has played in the majors ever since. Before signing with the Phillies, he played four seasons at the major-league level with the Giants and one with the Angels.

In his time as a Phillie, Frandsen was most valued as a pinch hitter. He led the majors in pinch hits (14) last season and was third in RBIs (10). In his time as a major-leaguer with the Phillies, Frandsen hit .280 with a .723 OPS, and was expected to be a valuable right-handed bat off the bench this season.

Thanks to myriad injuries the Phillies have suffered this spring, bench spots became valuable, and there are multiple non-roster players or minor-leaguers that need to be added to the 40-man roster if they are to make the Opening Day roster. In order to make room, Amaro opted to outright Frandsen, but said at the time he hoped Frandsen would stick around and compete for a bench job. Frandsen, obviously, thought he could find a better home elsewhere.